STATESBORO, Ga. – Former South Georgia Tormenta FC goalkeeper Sydney Martinez has signed a contract with IK Grand Bodø of the 1. Divisjon, the second tier of women’s soccer in Norway. The Tormenta FC Academy and USL W League alum completes her Path to Pro process after developing through the Tormenta FC Academy ranks and experienced success last summer after winning the inaugural 2022 USL W League title. Martinez becomes the first Tormenta FC Academy Female player to sign a professional contract.
“It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Sydney here at Tormenta FC. She proved she was the top GK in the USL W League in 2022 by leading her team as captain to the USL W National Championship. In addition to winning the Golden Glove, Finals MVP and being named USL W Best XI. She will be a tremendous professional player and will have a bright future. There will be a moment of pride to see her play against her former Tormenta FC teammate, Abby Wolf, in professional league play there in Norway.”
Jim Robbins, Tormenta FC’s USL W League Head Coach
With Tormenta FC, Martinez made history as she became Tormenta FC’s first Golden Glove winner across all teams within the club. Martinez also served as the team captain for the W League season.
In the USL W League final, Martinez became the hero after saving a penalty kick in the 110th minute of extra time. Martinez would end up being named the USL W League Final MVP.
Martinez heads overseas to join a competitive IK Grand Bodø, one of the oldest clubs in Norwegian women’s football. IK Grand Bodø is looking to get back to the Toppserien (first division of Norway,) IK Grand Bodø will open up its season on the road on March 26th As the team visits Tromsø IL 2020.
“Sydney becomes the sixth player to sign a professional contract after our 2022 National Championship season, and I expect two more signings before August. Tormenta FC is quickly establishing itself as a club that not only competes at a high level in the USL W but also a destination club for serious players who aspire to play at the professional level.”
Jim Robbins, Tormenta FC’s USL W League Head Coach
The hero from Rincon, Georgia, put her city on the map, and a decade-long project helped her prepare for moments like these. Just like Martinez, many more TFC Academy talents will rise through the ranks and follow in her footsteps. The foundation is set for Tormenta FC to continue providing opportunities to young talent around South Georgia and the Low Country of South Carolina.
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers on and off the pitch. Tormenta FC won its first-ever USL W League title in 2022 after defeating the Minnesota Aurora in front of 6,500 fans in Eagan, Minnesota.
Tormenta FC provides opportunities to local and national players to develop and start their professional careers in Statesboro, Georgia. In just one year, Tormenta FC’s USL W League team has produced six professional players with Sydney Martinez joining Jenae Packard, Emily Burke, Kelly Giddes, Abigail Wolf and Jodi Medina as the latest player to sign a contract in Europe.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, email: epintor@tormentafc.com.
